Lungi Ngidi is boldly conquering each new challenge ahead of him while forming a fearsome opening partnership with Kagiso Rabada ahead of South Africa’s most important cricket season.

‘It’s been a whirlwind,’ says Ngidi. ‘A lot has happened over the past six months. Having made my Test debut in January, moving to the IPL, to now playing on the subcontinent here in Sri Lanka… a lot of learning has happened and I feel I have grown a lot in a short space of time as a cricketer.’

Ngidi only made his Test and ODI debuts this year but has already established himself as a crucial weapon in South Africa’s deadly bowling attack.

‘One thing [Ottis Gibson] has really helped me with is my control. To be able to zone in on a length, and put batsmen under pressure. To be as accurate as possible. He has drilled that into me,’ says Ngidi.

‘I have always tried not to look too far ahead, but you can’t really ignore something like a World Cup,’ he adds.

Also in the new issue:
– Aiden Markram is hungry to raise his game to new heights in his second year of international cricket.
– Dane van Niekerk is helping to change women’s cricket for future generations of stars.
– Khaya Zondo is banking key experience that will come in handy when the chips are down.
– Alastair Cook: Lawrence Booth pays tribute to a true Test match great.

– Pay for fair play: The Proteas Women are finally getting the support they need to function as a fully professional unit.
– Graeme Pollock column: South Africa’s greatest batsman looks at how the white ball has changed the face of cricket.
– David Miller: Could throwing himself totally into white ball cricket make the difference in World Cup year?

PLUS:HD Ackerman backs Pakistan to shake things up in the World Cup | Hilton Moreeng Proteas Women ready to compete | Reeza Hendricks is on top of his game at the right moment | Anri Grobbelaar won’t let her age (or boys) put her off her game | Daniel Seha on the importance of strength and conditioning for cricketers | Crazy Aussies are a thing of the past, it seems, judging but the current crop of players | We celebrate T20 by looking at how it helps the red ball game.